I think the expectations will be much less this time. It won't make much of a splash, but heck, look at all the crap on TV now. The audiences are so fragmented, you'll have enough gamblers/ fantasy geeks to keep the interest level at a certain number. They'll need to somehow convince a TV network (ESPN/ FOX or someone like that) to throw some money their way.

They won't need any TV network to throw money their way. TV is dying. If they're going for innovative then they'll reach out to the likes of facebook, twitter, Hulu, YouTube, etc.

New XFL commissioner says league will require its players to stand for national anthem

Quote:

During the launch announcement in January, McMahon made it a point to draw a hard line on national anthem rules, saying it would be “appropriate” that future XFL players stand for the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Luck appeared to agree with McMahon on that point.

“We respect individual freedoms. But we will require our players to stand for the national anthem,” Luck told Bleacher Report.

McMahon previously said in January that the national anthem controversy didn’t impact his decision to restart the XFL. He added that the XFL wouldn’t be a platform for political or social issues.

The much bigger news in the sports business world is that they got Oliver Luck to become Commissioner of the XFL. This guy was second in command at the NCAA and was on the short list to possibly replace Roger Goodell at the NFL. He was a finalist to be a Rhodes Scholar and checks a lot of boxes, notably he was a former NFL player. Knowing Ollie Luck he is no BS type of person and I would expect a lot of smart decisions when it comes to this League. Some things he has talked about is a safer game, treating the players with respect, and giving more players an opportunity to play. All these player based items might be pointing to a strategy that tries and maximizes their brand when the NFL goes into an ugly labor war in a couple years. He has also talked about embracing legal gambling, something the NFL has not done publicly yet.

The last successful 2nd pro league was the American League in baseball and that was well over 100 years ago. The ABA did OK for a while but a 9 year existence is nothing great. Basically the few decent organizations got absorbed into the NBA and the balance of the teams were disbanded. The NBA did keep a few of the better aspects from league, 3 point shot and all star skill challenges including the slam dunk competition. At best this is what will happen to the XFL.

The last successful 2nd pro league was the American League in baseball and that was well over 100 years ago. The ABA did OK for a while but a 9 year existence is nothing great. Basically the few decent organizations got absorbed into the NBA and the balance of the teams were disbanded. The NBA did keep a few of the better aspects from league, 3 point shot and all star skill challenges including the slam dunk competition. At best this is what will happen to the XFL.

Actually you can add the AFL as a solid second league. All teams were absorbed into the NFL